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Duke of Edinburgh
What we do
At St. Anne’s, the numbers taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme are growing year on year. More readily known as the ‘DofE’, it is a leading youth awards programme that offers a challenging programme of activities which develop the mind, body and soul in an environment of social interaction and team working. It encourages young people to ‘live life as an adventure’.
Over recent years, a number of pupils have worked towards their Bronze award in Year 9 and their Silver award in Year 10. This year, we have around 40 students currently working to achieve Bronze award.
Mrs Bowden - DofE Leader
The Award
At St. Anne’s the DofE is fully inclusive, all students regardless of ability, gender or background can take part. Achieving the award allows all students to fulfil personal challenges and push their boundaries, taking part in activities that are outside the academic curriculum. The Award focuses on four key areas: Physical, Skills, Volunteering and Expedition. All four sections, challenge students to undertake activities including making a difference in the community/environment, developing personal fitness, developing new skills, and planning, training for and completing an expedition.
When it takes place
The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme begins at the start of the academic year, for year 9 students. Students select activities for each of the three key sections: voluntary work, something physical and learning a new skill. In the Summer term, students will complete the fourth section as a team: planning, training for, and completion of an expedition to Linnet Clough campsite in order to achieve the final part of their Bronze award.
St. Anne’s students have taken part in a wide range of activities and have created a variety of memorable experiences whilst working towards the volunteering, physical and skills part of their award. Examples have included:
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Learning sign language
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Volunteering at local charity shops including Barnardo’s.
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Volunteering at local cub/ brownie and scout groups
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Joining school groups such as gardening club and journalism club
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Home baking
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Pen pal writing with the elderly.
The Expeditions
Expeditions have taken place in local areas around Chadkirk, Linnet Clough and Marple. Our Bronze expeditions start in Chadkirk go over to Linnet Clough, and around the beautiful canal paths and countryside, ending in Hague Barr.
For the Bronze Award, students do a two-day, one-night expedition. The expeditions, which the students plan and prepare for during extra curricular sessions, are both fun and challenging, taking students out of their comfort zones, developing their confidence as well as create life-long memories.
Benefits of the DofE
The benefits of achieving a DofE Award for students are endless. Many St. Anne’s students say the experiences are life changing as they have opportunities to develop skills and complete challenges outside their comfort zones and gain a belief in themselves and their abilities. It is a fantastic way for them to demonstrate and evidence communication, commitment, leadership and teamwork in practice.
